Who makes a good 1911 in 9mm?

I know, I know. It shouldn't be in 9mm. But that's what I'm thinking about. So play along if you can deal with 9mm. Who makes the most problem free 1911 in 9mm? And under $700. STI maybe? Who else? Tell me about yours and include pictures if you want. Thanks.

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Sal1911A1

December 7, 2012, 05:30 PM

Lately I have been checking on the taurus pt1911 in 9mm, some good reviews on some other forums.
Under the $700 price range you want.

hq

December 7, 2012, 05:39 PM

Norinco NP-28 I almost accidentally bought a couple of years ago ($350) has turned out to be a very reliable, bare bones double stack 9mm 1911. Not the most accurate gun, trigger needed some work, sights are early milspec and fit and finish are barely acceptable, but most importantly, it goes bang every time you pull the trigger. IIRC, the magazines are Caspian-compatible, 15rd with flat base plate.

smalls

December 7, 2012, 05:41 PM

I daily carry an STI Spartan IV in 9mm. Extractor tension was too loose (common 9mm 1911 problem) when I first got it, but was an easy fix, and it's been 100% since then.

It's the best option for <$700. The gut and finish are great, you get all the bells and whistles plus the best CS in the game.

I've also heard nothing but good stuff about the RIA's. I've shot a few of their .45's, but no 9mm's.

billy396

December 7, 2012, 05:45 PM

I've had good luck with STI, Colt, Springfield, and Kimber 1911's in 9MM.

TonyT

December 7, 2012, 07:37 PM

I had aSA 1911 target in 9mm - functioned flawlessly but rotten accuracy, 6 inch "groups" at 50 ft. Purchased a Dan Wesson PM-9 equally relaible and less than 1 inch groups at the same distance. The STI Trojan in 9mm, while not a stainless steel gun, is also quite good.

smalls

December 7, 2012, 08:03 PM

I had aSA 1911 target in 9mm - functioned flawlessly but rotten accuracy, 6 inch "groups" at 50 ft. Purchased a Dan Wesson PM-9 equally relaible and less than 1 inch groups at the same distance. The STI Trojan in 9mm, while not a stainless steel gun, is also quite good.

Except not one if those run <$700. Not even used.

Well, maybe the SA.

trickyasafox

December 7, 2012, 08:03 PM

RIA Tactical- I have one in 9mm and it is has been absolutely great. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it at all

powder

December 7, 2012, 11:36 PM

My next 9mm will be the STI Tactical, but its around $1700.

wrench

December 7, 2012, 11:43 PM

I have an STI Spartan 5" in 9mm, got it last February. It's a fine shooter, accurate and reliable. Shoot reloads and factory ammo without issue.
It's one of the guns that nearly always accompanies me to the range.

wally

December 7, 2012, 11:52 PM

RIA "Tactical" 9mm about the best ~$450 you can spend on a 1911 pistol in 9mm or .45ACP

I don't know your purpose, but for me the 1911 = .45ACP so I can't really see spending ~$800+ on a 9mm version who's only purpose is to allow using cheaper ammo.

DC3-CVN-72

December 8, 2012, 12:51 AM

My twin brother just got a R.I.A 9mm. fit & finish is outstanding. We put 200 rounds of Federal 115 grn. fmj through it last friday. not one problem. I think @ $450.00 it is the best deal on a 9mm. 1911 by far. :)

Kendahl

December 8, 2012, 01:14 AM

Are the guns mentioned just 9 mm in the same sized frame as the .45s? It would be nice to have a 1911 style gun scaled down in length, width and height in proportion to the smaller cartridge.

smalls

December 8, 2012, 01:25 AM

9mm 1911's are the same size as their .45 counterparts.

The SA EMP is a compact 1911 designed around the 9mm cartridge.

TheReiver

December 8, 2012, 01:41 AM

Confession: I've wanted a 1911 in 9mm since I saw The Way of The Gun........

Anyway I've not used one but I've heard great things about the STI Spartan.

rswartsell

December 8, 2012, 01:45 AM

From what you posted I think the Springer XD9 is better that the 1911 options you have, and for a lot less. But to conform to the OPs request, I will personally stick with the Springer.

jrod102

December 8, 2012, 04:37 AM

I bought an SA EMP in '09' and I wouldn't take a share in the railroad for it. Its been flawless from day one. Here's the catch,... I gave almost $1200 for it, :eek: BNIB. Would I do it again? You betcha!

hq

December 8, 2012, 07:01 AM

It would be nice to have a 1911 style gun scaled down in length, width and height in proportion to the smaller cartridge.

As far as I know, the only common, mass produced, scaled down 1911 is Browning 1911-22 rimfire in 7/8th scale. Guns like Colt Commander (and equivalents) are the same width/thickness as regular models, only with a shorter slide, barrel, frame and magazine.

On the other hand, full size 1911 in 9mm is exceptionally manageable to shoot, the difference in recoil is significant compared to .40/.45/10mm/.38Super.

Esoxchaser

December 8, 2012, 07:30 AM

I bought an SA EMP in '09' and I wouldn't take a share in the railroad for it. Its been flawless from day one. Here's the catch,... I gave almost $1200 for it, BNIB. Would I do it again? You betcha!
Same here. The EMP is a spectacular pistol. I like it better than my Hi-Power. At one point in time I would have considered that to be blasphemy but the EMP is that good.

Hit_Factor

December 8, 2012, 09:34 AM

STI makes several models in 9mm. The Spartan is their entry level. I compete in 3 gun with a 5" Tactical.

Springfield EMP is a very nice pistol and I carry it often.

wbwanzer

December 8, 2012, 10:37 AM

So it looks like that in my price range, I'm down to the STI Spartan, RIA Tactical and the PT1911. No one has had anything negative to say about any of these. So this will be the 'pool' to choose from when the time comes.

Thanks everyone.

Jed Carter

December 8, 2012, 10:38 AM

STI is my choice, I have the more costly Trojan with a ramped barrel it works flawlessly. The Taurus also has a ramped barrel and a really great trigger for the price. My only reservation on the Taurus, the magazines, and will it accept the Wilson ETM 10 rounders. Taurus has a forged frame and features found only in pistols that cost a lot more, or are not there in a pistol this price. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/59332

Jim Watson

December 8, 2012, 10:46 AM

Heresay warning: RIA and STI (the Spartan is made for them by Armscor and is a "dresser" RIA) have the best Internet Reputations and are the closest to Colt specs. Taurus gets better reviews than they used to, though.

Me?
I have a Colt and a Springfield that are very satisfactory. But both have been breathed on to the point that they are well above your budget.

shooter_from_show-me

December 8, 2012, 10:49 AM

STI in full size & SA EMP in compact version.

tuj

December 8, 2012, 10:52 AM

STI

Grunt

December 8, 2012, 12:07 PM

They're out of business now but have you looked at the old Star pistols? I got a BM for my son to grow into and it's been a pretty good performer and at a 2-3 hundred price tags these days, a screaming good deal!

Mercury

December 8, 2012, 12:55 PM

Dan Wesson makes the Guardian in a Commander-sized version, which is excellent.
S&W offers a few models that are also great.

Pilot

December 8, 2012, 01:10 PM

Are the guns mentioned just 9 mm in the same sized frame as the .45s? It would be nice to have a 1911 style gun scaled down in length, width and height in proportion to the smaller cartridge.

That's called a Browning Hi Power.

bikerdoc

December 8, 2012, 01:30 PM

Got a good deal on a stainless PT1911, been flawless and reliable pushing near 1k rounds.

smalls

December 8, 2012, 02:38 PM

That's called a Browning Hi Power.

Except that's a double stack with completely different ergonomics.

rugerdude

December 8, 2012, 03:06 PM

I have an RIA 9mm that is a somewhat enhanced GI model. Anyway, the gun is great and absolutely reliable. I would definitely recommend it.

TMann

December 8, 2012, 03:07 PM

Another vote for the RIA 1911s. The RIA models come in a standard mil-spec style (low-profile sights, standard hammer and grip safety) or their "Tactical" model (Novak-type sights, extended beavertail and round hammer.) The Tactical is a better bargain, IMO.

RIA's aren't the fanciest guns around, but they make great shooters.

TMann

Pilot

December 9, 2012, 03:04 PM

Except that's a double stack with completely different ergonomics.

Well, it checks many of the boxes you stated with regards to scaled down size for the 9MM caliber. While not a 1911 it is the closest thing currently available on the market with some of the characteristics you state, and a fine pistol in its own right.

The only scaled down 1911's I know are all .22LR. The Browning which is currently available, and the discontinued Llama IIIA.

PabloJ

December 9, 2012, 03:11 PM

I know, I know. It shouldn't be in 9mm. But that's what I'm thinking about. So play along if you can deal with 9mm. Who makes the most problem free 1911 in 9mm? And under $700. STI maybe? Who else? Tell me about yours and include pictures if you want. Thanks.
You should be able to pick up one of those surplus Spanish Star pistols for about $300. It is based on Ballister-Molina (or is it the other way around?) which was cheaper to make 1911. From a distance these look just like "bulemic" Colt 1911s.

Fremmer

December 9, 2012, 03:16 PM

Springfield emp? Expensive though.

smalls

December 9, 2012, 03:19 PM

Well, it checks many of the boxes you stated with regards to scaled down size for the 9MM caliber. While not a 1911 it is the closest thing currently available on the market with some of the characteristics you state, and a fine pistol in its own right.

It is a fine pistol, and I've enjoyed shooting a few of them. But the closest thing to a scaled down 9mm 1911 is the EMP, which as I stated before, was built around the 9mm cartridge. Just like the original 1911 was designed around the .45 ACP.

Fremmer

December 9, 2012, 03:56 PM

The hi power is the classic single action hi cap 9mm, so it is certainly worth a look.

BYJO4

December 9, 2012, 09:44 PM

My Kimber Custom II has been flawless. You might find a used one in your price range.

el Godfather

December 9, 2012, 09:46 PM

Dan Wesson Guardian

Rockyriver

December 9, 2012, 09:52 PM

Springfield EMP if you want a small size 1911 with a good full hand grip. But its out of your price range.
Buy a good 1911 9mm and not some foreign job thats cheap pay a little more you won't regret it.
If you go with the EMP I suggest get a newer one and not a used one that was made back when they first came out.

I have a RIA Tactical in 9mm also, bought it second-hand, but unfired. The seller had bought it new and never fired it. I haven't really had a chance to get to know it very well either, but the times I've had it out it's ran very well and shoots great. Eats anything I put in it, and puts 'em where I point it. One of those good deals that I'm glad I jumped on.

Oh, this is my 4th RIA 1911, BTW. All the others are also great pistols for the price.

Kimber Aegis II is the 9mm my wife chose because of the really small grip.

As with all Kimber 1911s, it has a really nice trigger.

GWARGHOUL

December 10, 2012, 12:19 AM

Get the Taurus.

RSR

December 10, 2012, 12:25 AM

+1 for STI For the $$$, it's your best option. Might exceed your price range but save up and buy a nicer firearm. You'll be very glad once you have it. Best of luck to ya!

GLI45

December 10, 2012, 09:07 PM

Add me to the STI list. I own several in .45, .40, and 9mm and have never been disappointed. Not sure what size you want or if you can stretch the budget, but I carry the Guardian in 9mm and love it. Reliable and accurate in an officer size and runs about $1k. I also have the Edge in 9mm, but it's a full size hi-cap.

tomrkba

December 10, 2012, 09:22 PM

This seems to be a pretty good one. (http://pistol-training.com/archives/7618)

23,512 rounds 10 stoppages 0 malfunctions 1 parts breakages

The words "1911" and "$700" do not go well together. You're in the wrong game. Get a Glock 19 (or similar) and you'll be far happier. I know that's not what you want to hear, but 1911's require more than a casual relationship. This means cash and know-how. You can spend the money on armorer training, parts and some tools or you can pay a gunsmith. Your call...but either way, you're going to pay.

A Browning Hi-Power MK III is adequate out of the box. It needs a trigger job (mine had a 14 pound single action trigger), beveled mag well, night sights, the magazine disconnect removed, and refinishing. Try to find Browning magazines...buy as many as possible when you find them. I like them, but they're not really worth the $900 for a new gun.

My EMP was not a good gun out of the box. It was incorrectly built by the factory and required a trip to the factory immediately. The firing pin struck brass every other shot and the feed ramp was incorrectly cut. They tuned it up so it would function. All was well from 200-600 rounds. The ejector block, being glued in, worked itself loose. Springfield paid for the shipping and pinned it into the frame (which is what should have been done originally). It took three months to get the gun working. It worked well after it was properly tuned and ate cheap Tula FMJ and expensive Speer JHP without ever jamming. I will likely buy another one, but it'll cost me $1100 for the gun and another $200 in mags. I'd get a few of them cut to be flush eight rounders.

RIA guns may "be great pistols for the price", but that's not saying much. Inspect any RIA gun before you buy. The last one I looked at last year had gouges around the mainspring housing.

Girodin

December 10, 2012, 09:46 PM

Dan Wesson Guardian

Great gun, but it doesn't fit within the OPs parameters. To wit, you wont find one under $700. Rather, it is about twice that price.

tomrkba

December 10, 2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:
Dan Wesson Guardian
Great gun, but it doesn't fit within the OPs parameters. To wit, you wont find one under $700. Rather, it is about twice that price.

He is telling the OP to buy quality. Going cheap is just an exercise in frustration.

Quack

December 11, 2012, 12:44 AM

STI Spartan.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

Girodin

December 11, 2012, 07:23 AM

He is telling the OP to buy quality. Going cheap is just an exercise in frustration.

That's a lot to read into a three word response. I think it is just as likely he didn't bother to read the OP or concern himself with the OP's budget constraints. If that is his point, it would be better made with an explanation of what differentiates a DW from available $700 guns and why those differences are worth twice the asking price.

wbwanzer

December 11, 2012, 10:58 AM

I'm the OP.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I think I understand the differences between expensive guns and $700 guns. But in my situation it's not that I couldn't afford a $1200 pistol if that's what I really wanted, it's just that it's not worth it to me. I've already got seven or eight handguns, most of them semi-autos including a SIG 229 and a Witness Elite Match. I don't shoot often enough to use all of the guns I already have. In this case I'm just looking for a 1911 in 9mm. It won't get used much because it will only get used in rotation with my other pistols. So it's just not worth it to me to spend more than $600 or $700 just to have a 1911 in the stable.

Now, if a new $700 1911 will not work correctly out of the box and will need a couple hundred more thrown at it to make it work, then I don't really need one.

smalls

December 11, 2012, 02:34 PM

Now, if a new 1911 will not work correctly out of the box and will need a couple hundred more thrown at it to make it work, then I don't really need one.

You'll do fine with that price, especially if you choose to go with STI it RIA. Even if it doesn't run out of the box, they'll make it run for free.

The idea that a 1911 won't run unless you paid at least $1500 us stupid, and frankly I'm tired of people spouting it as truth. Will your >$700 gun be as good as a Wilson or Baer? No, but it'll do fine for most applications.

floydster

December 12, 2012, 08:56 PM

I love my EMP:)

orionengnr

December 12, 2012, 11:32 PM

The EMP is (to the best of my knowledge) the only 1911 that is "scaled down" to fit the 9mm cartridge. But in reality, the "downsizing" is almost imperceptible unless you are holding an accurate set of calipers in your hand.

I have owned two--one an early production model (s/n 1705) that had every malfunction to ever plague a 1911.

Two trips back to Geneseo, and then they replaced it.

S/N 2750 was better, but still required one trip back while I owned it...and another trip back by the guy I sold it to (with full disclosure and at a bargain price)...

Two years later, he was ready to sell it and offered me the first shot at it.

I met him at the range, fired it and agonized a bit...and passed.

I hear that the new ones are squared away, and I hope that is true.

I am not sure I will live long enough to try again....especially considering that I own at least one 3" alloy framed 1911 that weighs the same 24 oz as the EMP and holds eight .45 rounds...the EMP fits the same holster made for a 3" 1911.

frank c

December 13, 2012, 04:35 AM

I know, I know. It shouldn't be in 9mm. But that's what I'm thinking about. So play along if you can deal with 9mm. Who makes the most problem free 1911 in 9mm? And under $700. STI maybe? Who else? Tell me about yours and include pictures if you want. Thanks.
Smith and wesson M&P 9mm also the M&P shield 9mm.I would also look at good used S&W model 3913,3914,5906 all great 9mm.

Hit_Factor

December 13, 2012, 06:57 AM

Smith and wesson M&P 9mm also the M&P shield 9mm.I would also look at good used S&W model 3913,3914,5906 all great 9mm.

Not exactly 1911s, but they are at least 9mm semiautomatic handguns.

billib

December 14, 2012, 02:41 PM

My RIA 1911 t runs very well, no issues. Would buy another.

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